Go Back Email Link
+ servings
A white bowl of instant pot country style ribs coated in sauce.
Print Recipe
4.86 from 7 votes

Instant Pot Country Style Ribs

Instant Pot Country Style Pork Ribs are dry rubbed with a delicious Cajun seasoning and are pressure cooked until they are perfectly fork tender. Serve them smothered in sweet or smoky barbecue sauce and have an impressive dinner on the table in no time.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Pressure Release20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: country-style ribs, instant pot country style ribs
Cooking Method: Instant Pot
Servings: 10
Calories: 217kcal
Author: Kari

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 lbs boneless country style pork ribs
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup Cajun seasoning linked here & below
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce for serving

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode, then heat the oil.
    1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Coat the ribs on all sides with the seasoning mixture and brown sugar, massaging it in while the oil heats.
    3 lbs boneless country style pork ribs, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ cup Cajun seasoning
  • Once the ribs are coated, and the oil is hot, sear the ribs on all sides (you will have to do this in batches) then remove the ribs and set them off to the side.
  • Add the sliced onions to the Instant Pot and sauté them in the leftover oil and seasoning.
    1 onion
  • Deglaze the Instant Pot with the broth and scrape any meaty bits off of the bottom. (This will prevent a burn message.)
    ½ cup chicken broth
  • Lay the ribs on top of the onions and cancel Sauté mode.
  • Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the vent to the "Sealing" position.
  • Cook the ribs at High Pressure for 45 minutes. (It will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure.)
  • When the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Carefully open the lid.
  • Move the onions and ribs to a bowl using a slotted spoon and shred the ribs up. You can serve them in big chunks or really tear them apart with a fork.
  • Mix some of the juices from the crockpot with the barbecue sauce and coat the ribs with it. (I like to only coat a portion of the ribs so I can save some of the meat for use in other dishes.)
    ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • Serve & enjoy!

Notes

Note: There is no need for any extra liquid if you use an 8-quart Instant Pot, as the ribs release a lot of juice.

Helpful Tips

  • Do not quick release the pressure on the Instant Pot - give it time to do a natural pressure release. A quick release will pull the moisture out of the meat, and you will be left with tough, dry meat - which we don't want.
  • Store leftover ribs (and reheat them) in the cooking broth to keep them from drying out.
  • Use leftover country-style ribs as you would use carnitas or a shredded pork shoulder - yum!
Cajun Seasoning - Use ½ cup for this recipe, and check out this cajun seasoning post for ways to use the leftover seasoning!
  • 2.5 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 282mg | Potassium: 513mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2700IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 4mg